Monthly Archives: May 2006

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I love fan mail. I especially love fan mail informing me that two of my favorite things in the world — Lego and waffles — are being combined. Lego Waffles. Soon to find their way into my freezer. Danielle, you’re awesome! :)

I love fan mail. I especially love fan mail informing me that two of my favorite things in the world — Lego and waffles — are being combined. Lego Waffles. Soon to find their way into my freezer. Danielle, you’re awesome! :)

Okay, totally lost on what week this is of my diet, and let me just get this post in real quick before the day be done. I’ve gained half a pound from last week, up to 222.5. While I may not be making much progress on my diet, at least I’m not spinning out of control into the void. Fool, I really think you need to start kicking my slacker ass.

I wish I’d had my camera on me tonight, and if I remember, I’ll take it with me tomorrow. There’s a church on the corner of Constantine and Jarrettsville Pike, a few miles north of the Reservoir. The little sign in front: “WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN? TURN RIGHT AND GO STRAIGHT.”

I got home from work a few minutes ago. I was only supposed to work a 10-5 at the Indy, but then Steve called me in a panic — seems the “new guy” who was rehired (he’s been fired two or five times before) might not have been aware he was working tonight, so I wound up going into the Franchise to cover his 5-10. Anyway, apparently over the extended weekend, my mail has built up because I could get my key into the mailbox lock, but damn if I could get it to turn.

I’ve blogged before about the enormous minifigure scale aircraft carrier (USS Nimitz) which has often appeared on Brickshelf. Recently, the creator finished it, and it’s a big sucker, but I never knew it could float, too. Shit.

Make me wish my apartment had a balcony. I’d love to be out, sitting in a lawn chair, feet propped up against the sagging metal railing, a well worn oft-folded book in one hand, a tall glass of o.j. in the other. It’d almost be enough reason to consider finding a new apartment, except of course moving is such a huge pain in the ass (and I’ve got a lot of crap). Anyway. Tippy’s sunning herself on the window ledge, Guy is sleeping under Hogwarts, and I’m watching Rent and waiting for my laundry to finish.

Defined by Wikipedia as “a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object to add visual interest to a surface or object”, the online encyclopedia even has a section detailing the use of greebling in Lego: “Greebles are used by many people who build structures, especially spaceships, out of LEGO bricks. These are similar to greebles used in movies such as Star Wars, except they are made only with LEGO. This presents a challenge, as it can be hard to create a “greebly” look with regulation bricks but the use of grilles, antennas, and clips help. LEGO bricks are also “naturally” greebled thanks to the interlocking studs, which can also help achieve a greebled look if used properly.”

I’m not planning on using a lot of greebles on Zeus, but when I do, I want to make sure it looks good. My favorite description of the proper use of greebles came from a long-lost website describing someone’s construction of a Millennium Falcon (his own design, not a set). Paraphrasing, “It’s important for greebling to look integrated to the design, not just applied to the surface.”

I spent some time last night working on some experimental greebling plates. Before I begin construction, I’d like to pre-prepare sections of greebling which can be incoporated into the design as construction commences. Some quick examples of greebling incorporated into a design:

I’ve had two consecutive nights of awesome sleep and I don’t want to get out of bed, it’s so comfy. Yesterday the only reason I got out of bed was that I had to be at work ten minutes after I woke up. So. Today I don’t have to be at work until five. No motivation, y’know?

Dick Winters, the CO of Easy Company, whose exploits in Europe during World War II formed the basis for Stephen Ambrose’s book “Band of Brothers” (and later the HBO miniseries of the same name, Damian Lewis playing Winters), has published his war memoirs. Apparently this is actually old news, but I just found out about it and thought I’d share.

My Amazon search also revealed another set of memoirs — Parachute Infantry : An American Paratrooper’s Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich co-written by David Kenyon Webster and Stephen Ambrose (although Webster would’ve been dead for decades by the time Ambrose got the material, so I don’t know why he’s getting co-credit). Webster, a Harvard English Lit major, joined the paratroopers and was portrayed by Eion Bailey in the HBO miniseries. If memory serves, Webster went to sea in the 60’s to research a book on sharks and was never seen again.

One of my favorite WW II movies is HBO’s “The Gathering Storm.” Okay, okay, so it’s actually a pre-World War II movie as it isn’t until the end that Poland gets blitzkrieged. The movie follows Albert Finney as Winston Churchill, a disgraced member of the British Parliment, as he struggles to regain the glory of past years. Various government officers, aware and wary of German rearmament, try to alert the British people — through Churchill — of the growing threat to the east, but most British politicians, tired of the last war, afraid of the next, and feeling guilty over the punishing Treaty of Versailles, are too willing to give Germany a pass. Churchill, of course, won’t make this easy for them, garnering enemies within his own government, while across the Channel, Germany gathers her forces.

I’ve been watching Six Feet Under, the first three episodes last Tuesday night at Zenchick’s place as we scarfed down Chinese food and pork fried rice. Anyway, tonight (yeah, I’m having a rockin’ holiday) I’m watching the eleventh episode of the first season, The Trip, and the woman playing Ruth’s instructor in her florist class, Mary Gross, looks like an older Brenda.

Unfortunatly, I can’t find a screencap of Mary Gross’ character from the episode, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

I’ve been watching Six Feet Under, the first three episodes last Tuesday night at Zenchick’s place as we scarfed down Chinese food and pork fried rice. Anyway, tonight (yeah, I’m having a rockin’ holiday) I’m watching the eleventh episode of the first season, The Trip, and the woman playing Ruth’s instructor in her florist class, Mary Gross, looks like an older Brenda.

Unfortunatly, I can’t find a screencap of Mary Gross’ character from the episode, so you’ll have to take my word for it.